The COVID-19 death toll in United Kingdom has reached nearly 9,000. At least 17 workers in National Health Service have so far died from the coronavirus. Mother Teresa Sister Sienna, Indian doctors Hamza Pacheeri and Jitendra Rathod, nurse Beena George, and care worker Sinto George are among the confirmed Indian victims.

The U.K. has been effectively in lockdown since March 23 due to coronavirus. Under the strict measures, people can only leave their homes for essential purposes, such as buying food or medicine. The UK’s social distancing rules are highly likely to remain in force for several more weeks, despite early signs that the coronavirus outbreak is slowing.

While UK faces this long battle, Indians in UK have been playing a big part. Doctors, nurses, care workers, restaurant chefs have been lauded for their great service in these critical times.

The National Health Service (NHS) relies greatly upon doctors, nurses and carers who come from countries all around the world. According to recent statistics, of the nearly 330,000 doctors around 30,000 had their primary qualification in India. This accounts for the single biggest nationality of doctors qualified abroad. The number does not include those of Indian origin who qualified outside of India.